Johnathan Mast 

Jonathan Mast is taking the SYNC stage for Opening Night with BIG PLANS and even bigger breakthroughs. A pioneering digital marketer since 1995, Jonathan has spent three decades at the forefront of helping businesses grow through smart strategy, compelling messaging, and now. next-level AI integration.

As one of today’s most trusted voices in practical AI and modern marketing, he empowers photographers and creative entrepreneurs to turn innovation into measurable results. With a community of more than 600,000 engaged followers, his Perfect Prompting Framework has become the go-to system for mastering tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

Known for his dynamic and actionable speaking style across North America, Asia, and Australia, Jonathan will ignite SYNC 2026 with a keynote built to expand your thinking, fuel your boldest ideas, and set the tone for a year of Big Plans.

Josh Hanna

Who Am I?

Does your business have a voice? What does it say about you? Join Josh for an introspective look at one of the most overlooked elements in your business...YOU! Together, we'll look at concepts and ideas that will help simplify your branding, while leading to the development of your personal style. Get ready to give your business the voice it deserves and lean into a more fulfilling career in photography!

Katie Swatek

Business Blueprint

In a world chasing reach and volume, what if the secret to sustainable success was right in your backyard? Join Katie Swatek—2025 SYNC Photographer of the Year, nationally published photographer, educator, and small-town powerhouse—for a candid, energizing session on how to build a thriving business through standout client care, strategic communication, and deeply rooted service.

Whether you're based in a tiny town or a growing city, this expanded version of Katie’s popular Small Town Big Business talk is designed for senior and portrait photographers who want to improve communication, client retention, and sales—without high-pressure tactics.

This is more than marketing. It’s about meaningful connection, smart systems, and showing up in a way that sets your brand apart, no matter your zip code.

Jamie Boler

Culture & Systems That Scale: Building a Volume Studio People Love

Running a high-volume studio doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or sanity. In this session, Jamie Boler of Red Elephant Studio breaks down the full volume photography system he uses from start to finish, showing how to create high-quality images while keeping things efficient, organized, and enjoyable. You’ll learn how to build a strong studio culture that attracts and retains great team members, and how to form lasting relationships with schools, sports leagues, and clients.

Carla Lynn

Scaling Soulfully: Infusing Energy, Purpose, and Strategy into a Business that Lasts

You won’t regret spending time learning from someone who has spent over 20 years helping clients feel confident, seen, and enough. In this session, Carla Lynn will guide photographers on how to scale soulfully by bringing energy, purpose, and strategy into their business. You’ll explore ways to show up fully for your clients, create experiences that leave a lasting impact, and implement simple strategies that protect your creativity. By the end, you’ll walk away with actionable tools to elevate client experiences and a renewed perspective on how the energy and intention you bring to your work shapes both your business and the way clients see themselves.

Emily Davis

The Top 5 Objections from Schools & Leagues (and How to Overcome Them with Confidence)

Booking volume photography contracts often comes down to how well you handle objections. In this session, we’ll break down the five most common concerns you’ll hear from schools and leagues—like price, existing photographer relationships, and parent complaints—and show you exactly how to reframe each one into an opportunity. You’ll learn how to ask clarifying questions to increase your strategic positioning and shift the focus from your features to the payoffs decision makers truly care about: smoother logistics, greater efficiency, and happier parents. Walk away with proven approaches that turn hesitation into long-term partnerships.

Meredith Ryncarz

You Don't Have to Do it All

Running a photography business often feels like juggling a hundred tasks at once: emails, contracts, editing, marketing, and somehow still finding time to create beautiful images. The truth? You don’t have to do it all.

In this class, you’ll learn how to find balance in your business by combining smart systems with modern tools, including AI. We’ll break down how to streamline your client workflows, cut down the time you spend on repetitive tasks, and free yourself up to focus on the work (and the life) you actually love.

Bruce Royal

How to Thrive in an Overly Saturated Industry

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you will greatly benefit from this program. There are critical tools that all photographers must have to not only succeed but also to achieve longevity in their photography careers. With almost two decades in the business, I’ve not only learned but also developed skills that I’ll share to help you thrive. I look forward to seeing you at SYNC!

Tye Allen

Custom design Team Posters & Senior Banners in real time using AI platforms.

Tired of cookie-cutter designs that don’t reflect each team’s identity? In this live, interactive session, we’ll create customized team posters and senior banners on the spot, using ideas from the audience. Designed for high-volume photographers, this workshop focuses on how to bring individuality to every school and program—without adding time or complexity to your workflow. You’ll learn how to leverage AI-powered tools to quickly design dynamic, school-specific graphics, and walk away with strategies to streamline your banner and poster process while boosting client satisfaction. Bring your ideas—and leave with templates you can use immediately.

Jennifer Denton

Expanding Horizons: Where Creativity Meets Strategy

This session is for senior and portrait photographers who are ready to pivot with purpose and build a business that grows with them. As the industry continues to evolve, photographers are being asked to adapt without losing their creative edge. We’ll explore how to blend artistry and strategy to create new income opportunities, expand beyond the borders of your home city, and serve clients more intentionally. You’ll learn how to thoughtfully grow into new markets, refine and implement a hybrid sales approach that increases client satisfaction and revenue, and move past the hesitation that keeps you from taking action on your best ideas. You’ll leave with fresh perspective, actionable tools, and the clarity to move forward.

Don Ward

The Recipe for Impactful Sports Volume Photography

Join Don Ward of 3rd Creative as he breaks down his “recipe” for creating powerful, attention-grabbing sports volume images. This session takes you behind the scenes of his process—from choosing and shaping light to match the mood (high key, low key, or bold and colorful), to selecting equipment that makes a measurable difference in results. Don will also demonstrate the post-processing techniques that elevate his final images into professional, banner-worthy work. Perfect for photographers already shooting sports volume or those looking to refine their lighting and editing, you’ll walk away with practical tools and a clearer creative direction you can immediately apply.

Brad Deel and Dani Mack

The Art of Creating Light (presenting with Brad Deel)

Join Dani Mack and Brad Deel for an inspiring program that connects the art of photography with the art of living. Through powerful stories, live demonstrations using Westcott lighting, and interactive audience activities, you’ll discover how mastering light behind the camera parallels finding and shaping your own inner light. This session blends technical skills with personal growth, giving you the tools to create stunning portraits while also stepping into your own brilliance. Walk away motivated, equipped, and ready to shine—in your work and your life.

Scott Detweiler

WHAT THE PROMPT?

Want to actually understand how to use AI to grow your photography business — not just copy prompts off the internet? In this session, you’ll learn insider strategies from someone who works at an AI company. This isn’t another “here’s a list of prompts” workshop. I’ll show you how to think like an AI power user, equipping you with skills that go far beyond everyday prompt hacks. You’ll discover how to get AI to actually help with your marketing, branding, content, and client outreach, all in your voice, for your vision. If you want to leave SYNC with real tools, real skills, and a competitive edge most photographers haven’t even heard of yet, come ready to learn, level up, and leave ahead of the curve.

Rod Evans

AI Isn’t Coming for You—It’s Here to Empower You

Step into the future of senior and sports photography—without leaving behind your artistry. In this powerful program, Rod Evans shows how to ethically fuse traditional portrait photography with cutting-edge AI to create breathtaking, one-of-a-kind senior and sports images that feel both timeless and visionary. You’ll discover practical ways to use AI for clothing swaps, cinematic sports backgrounds, and painterly enhancements—all while maintaining authenticity, trust, and full creative control. Learn how to deliver products and experiences that stand out in a saturated market and position yourself as the go-to photographer in your community.